Pilates is fast becoming big business in Singapore – and it’s not just Gen Z driving it

Demand is booming on the back of a stronger focus on health and wellness, but operators warn of competition and rising costs

Summarise

Add BT as a preferred source

Ry-Anne Lim

Published Fri, Dec 12, 2025 · 02:30 PM

阅读简体中文版 (beta)

Pilates studios are filling up as the once-niche practice becomes a mainstay of the city's fitness scene. PHOTO: ALLY
A study published in March found that attending regular Pilates classes reduced anxiety, depression, fatigue and stress. PHOTO: FLEX STUDIO
Move Repeat group brand and engagement Kamesh Waran says the Strong Pilates team is constantly looking to expand. PHOTO: TAY CHU YI, BT
Studios say the majority of their clients remain women, but more men have been attending Pilates classes in recent years. PHOTO: THE MOVING BODY GROUP
Tim Campbell-Scott, Lululemon Southeast Asia market director, notes a shift toward more holistic, wellness-driven fitness routines. PHOTO: LULULEMON

[SINGAPORE] On a quiet Thursday morning, two sisters in their 50s step into a bright, mirrored studio in The Centrepoint along Orchard Road. Clad in matching black leggings and grippy socks, they settle onto reformer machines as their instructor cues them through slow, deliberate movements. Within minutes, the room hums with controlled breaths and quiet effort.

What began as a casual experiment a year ago has turned into a weekly ritual for the two.

“At our age, we wanted something that builds up core strength, flexibility and posture without looking too intimidating,” says the older sister, Samantha Tan. “Pilates tick all the boxes.”

Brunch Health Health and Wellness Sports Fitness Health & Wellness

TRENDING NOW

Traffic through the strait has been resuming but with interruptions, and there is still little clarity over a permanent solution for passages through the chokepoint.

Qatari LNG ship struck in Strait of Hormuz, testing US talks

This comes after a Citi note on Tuesday that lifted target prices for all Singapore banks, with a leading preference and “buy” call for DBS.

DBS shares rise 1.9% to hit all-time intraday high as sentiment improves

Aster deputy CEO Andre Khor, citing the age of the “polycrisis”, says: “It’s very important to be agile, to be focused on execution… We don’t know all the answers but we keep going forward.”

‘Baptism of fire’: Andre Khor on leading Singapore refiner Aster through an energy crisis

Singapore ranks as the world’s most expensive city for cars and placed third globally for residential property.

Singapore retains top spot as most expensive city for HNWIs, with five Apac cities in global top 10